Ficus Awkeotsang Makino Achenes Research Articles

Preparation and characterization of a jelly fig (Ficus awkeotsang Makino) polysaccharide-based bioactive 3D scaffold for improved vascularization and skin tissue engineering applications

Jelly fig polysaccharides (JFP) were extracted from Ficus awkeotsang Makino achenes. The yield of JFP was approximately 10–15 %. FT-IR spectrum of the extracted JFP confirmed that it was made of low methoxyl pectin (LMP). 3D scaffolds of JFP (JFP scaffold) were fabricated using ionic crosslinking of 2 % (w/v) JFP solution with Ca2+ ions and freeze-drying. The JFP scaffold showed 73.46 ± 1.97 % porosity and a 12-fold swelling capacity. The porous morphology was also observed in SEM micrographs. JFP scaffolds were completely degraded in 14 days when incubated in 1 mg/mL lysozyme solution, compared to the 50 % degradation observed in PBS alone. The antioxidant activity of the JFP and JFP scaffold was approximately 40 %. The hemolytic assay of the JFP scaffold showed <5 % (3.0 ± 0.4) RBC lysis. The cytocompatibility of the JFP scaffold was evaluated using L929 mouse fibroblasts and human dermal fibroblasts (HDF). The in vitro studies using L929 cells showed that the JFP scaffold is cytocompatible. HDF cells cultured in the presence of JFP scaffolds show a higher fold cell viability, proliferation, and migration. Collagen expression and deposition were also studied, and no significant changes occurred with JFP scaffold treatment. In vivo CAM assay showed an increase in the number and thickness of blood vessels by 1.185-fold and 1.19-fold, respectively. These results confirm the angiogenic property of the JFP scaffold. These biocompatible and bioactive properties of the JFP scaffold could be beneficial for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.

Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of omega-3 oil compounds from Ficus awkeotsang Makino achenes

This work investigated the production of linolenic-rich oil from Ficus awkeotsang Makino achenes using supercritical carbon dioxide extraction. The 16h Soxhlet n-hexane extraction of these achenes produced total yield of 12.91% and concentration of 686.3mg/g of the extracted oil. Supercritical carbon dioxide extractions were performed with pressures ranged from 325 to 375bar, temperatures ranged from 323 to 343K, and solvent to solid ratios ranged from 80 to 160 by using a three-factor experimental designed response surface methodology. Three responses of total yield (TY), concentration of triglycerides (CTG) and recovery of triglycerides (RTG) were measured. Under a suitable condition, the values of TY, CTG, and RTG were 9.24%, 893.5mg/g and 93.2%, respectively. This study demonstrated that environmental benign supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of linolenic-rich oil from Ficus awkeotsang M. achenes is a feasible and sustainable green process, alternative to traditional organic solvent extraction.